Alaska reports first case of monkeypox

The Alaska Department of Health (DOH) and the Anchorage Health Department (AHD) today announced the first case of monkeypox in Alaska. In a press release, DOH said the person, an Anchorage resident, did not require hospitalization and is isolating at home. It was also stated that the individual had not traveled but was a close contact of an individual who had recently traveled outside of Alaska.

The release went on to say, “The Alaska Section of Epidemiology is continuing to work to identify people who may have been exposed to monkeypox in Alaska. Any close contacts will be notified and offered vaccine. People with close contact exposure to monkeypox are generally advised to reach out to their clinician or public health center for evaluation. Testing for monkeypox is available in Alaska, as is a limited supply of the JYNNEOS vaccine.”

The distribution of the monkeypox vaccine is prioritized for people identified as having close contact to someone with virus within the last 2 weeks. Currently, guidelines state that vaccinations to prevent monkeypox is not recommended for the general public.

Transmission of the monkeypox virus is only through skin-to-skin contact with body fluids or monkeypox sores. It is also transmissible through direct contact with contaminated items such as bedding or clothing, and through exposure to respiratory droplets during continued face-to-face contact.

While anyone is susceptible to contract or spread monkeypox, this current outbreak in the United States has mostly occurred among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men.

“While the risk of monkeypox infection remains low for the general population, it is important for people who might be at increased risk for exposure to be aware of how to prevent transmission and what signs and symptoms to look for,” said Dr. Joe McLaughlin, state epidemiologist and chief of the Section of Epidemiology.

Symptoms of the monkeypox virus typically start with flu-like symptoms, to include fever, headache, chills, muscle aches and exhaustion within 1 to 2 weeks of exposure.

A characteristic rash appears soon after, often located on or near the genitals or anus but could also be on other areas like the hands, feet, chest, face, or mouth. Often resembling pimples or blisters, the painful rash will go through stages of healing, including scabs. Some may only develop the rash. People infected with monkeypox are typically sick for 2-4 weeks.

“The best thing folks can do if they’re experiencing monkeypox symptoms or come across a new, unexplained rash is to stay home and contact their health provider right away,” said Dr. Brian Piltz, medical officer at the Anchorage Health Department. “This will allow us to deliver prompt treatment and rapid identification of close contacts who may be eligible for vaccination.”

The monkeypox outbreak, first spotted in Europe in late April, has now reached 75 countries, with many countries having never had significant caseloads before.

The U.S. now has had the most people infected, with more than 3,500 of the world’s 17,000 diagnoses. Spain, with the next-highest case load of more than 3,100, has one-seventh of our population. New York City has become the epicenter of the U.S. outbreaks with more than 1,000 cases.

Last week, the World Health Organization declared monkeypox a “public health emergency of international concern,” joining COVID-19 and polio in that designation.

Alaska DOH states that to prevent the spread of monkeypox, avoid close contact with people who have recently been diagnosed with monkeypox or with people who have monkeypox symptoms such as the rash and to contact a healthcare provider. DOH asks that anyone in close contact with someone who has symptoms to wear a face mask, limit skin-to-skin contact and wash your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer.

The CDC reports that as of July 28, confirmed monkeypox cases have been reported in 46 other states, plus Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia.

For more information about monkeypox, visit the Alaska DOH Department of Public Health website: health.alaska.gov/dph/Epi/id/Pages/Monkeypox.aspx